New video aims to fight illegal waste dumping

A new video from the EPA aims to fight the widespread environmental hazard of the illegal dumping of skip bin waste.

Chris Webb of EPA’s illegal waste disposal strikeforce said the animated video, titled Is Your Waste in the Right Place, gives simple tips on making sure the skip bin taking away waste goes to the right place.

“The tip to cutting out the dodgy operators is to ask the right questions before you hand over the money,” Mr Webb said.

“Ask the skip bin company if they can provide documents or receipts that show your load of household garbage or renovation waste went to the right place; a properly licensed landfill or recycling facility will give them paperwork whenever they drop off a load.

“Be wary of skip bin providers who offer very cheap quotes for waste removal, and always look for an operator who can show they will take your waste to the right place.”

Mr Webb said illegally dumped waste costs the state government and local councils across Victoria more than $100 million a year.

“Too many skip bin loads are being dumped in the bush, parks, creeks, on farmland, former industrial sites and in rented warehouses,” he said.

“The dodgy operators are grabbing an unfair advantage over legitimate skip bin hire businesses and leaving the community to pay for the clean up.